Offhand versus rest - no difference?

T

totaldla

New member
OK, I've been shooting since the days of covered wagons and dinosaurs :D

I had a strange occurrence the other day while shooting my peep sight equipped, (WRGS receiver with green fibre-optic front bead), Marlin Gun in 45-70. As is my norm, I did some close-range shooting offhand just to get familiar and then backed off 100yds. The first 100yd 4 shot group was shot offhand - about 5". The second 4 shot group was shot from a good rest - about 5". I sure didn't expect that - I was expecting about a 2-3" group.

Now I didn't recheck my load for accuracy - in the past my particular load is sub-inch at 100yds - not at all unusual for Guide Guns. And much more accurate than the minute-of-Elk that I use it for.

I'm wondering if there is something weird happening or if I have simply reached the limits of what you can do with that fiber-front bead and my old eyes. Anyways, please feel free to toss out ideas.
 
What you had was a statistical fluke. It is unusual for an offhand hold to equal a bench rest hold.


But there is a way to verify this: keep on shooting offhand. If you consistantly shoot the same groups offhand, with nary a round further than 5 inches from center, enter the nearest Rifle Match competition and take home all the marbles, before your lucky streak ends.
 
If you are really that ancient, I can only congratulate you on that off-hand group. A lot of young guys with good eyes can't shoot a 5" off hand group.

Jim
 
Translation - "I don't shoot any better sitting down than standing up?"
Yeah, I know, me, too.
I wobble about the same, either way.
Getting old is hell.
 
Slamfire said:
What you had was a statistical fluke. It is unusual for an offhand hold to equal a bench rest hold.
Click to expand...

That was my thought too. I wish I had set up more targets and spent more time at it. I need a bit of a rest from the Guide Gun between strings as it beats me up pretty good. Ya know, in the shade with some lemonade :) But it was hot and all I had was my little Ford Ranger and leftover lukewarm morning coffee.

I'm kindof also thinking that the firesight blots too much of a standard rifle target for any kind of super-duper accuracy. In the past I have used a solid black 8" circle on a white background. My eyes will naturally center the sights in the center of the circle.

But I though the whole event a bit strange.
 
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